The Fab Four Take Soo Locks

The Fab Four

Yesterday we were posing as tourists and doing a darned good impression. We set out to visit the Soo Locks. This giant photo was on the wall at the visitor center. It's the only  way I can convey to you how large this marvel really is. From the campground we have been watching huge freighters drifting by. We were about to see up close how big an operation it really is. We boarded Soo Lock Tour Boat #2 and prepared to go through the locks.

This is the view looking back after entering the lock. You can see the wet wall to see the level we are about to go to. As soon as the lock doors start closing, the water starts to rise.

There is a boom arm that comes down and locks into place with a pin to prevent a runaway vessel from ramming the doors. 

All the water flow is gravity fed from Lake Superior. It took less than half an hour to fill the entire void. 

After the doors opened on the other side, The Captain took us on a little tour to see the rapids that are left, they are all on the Canadian side.

We happened upon this tour that was underway, they looked to be having lots of fun.

The hydroelectric power plant out takes are popular fishing spots. The building is immense! You have a really hard time getting all of it in a picture. The sandstone building was constructed primarily by Italian stone masons. There is some beautiful detail in the stone work. Each small section has a small lighthouse design. Really beautiful.

I was able to get a close up shot, you can hear the machinery whirring away, turbines are noisy!

Here was the only way I could get the entire building in one shot. The water flows through intakes on this side, and out the other.

#Edison #HydroElectric